40 North Carolina Native Flowers & Wildflowers

North Carolina, often known as the Tarheel State, is residence to a few of America’s most lovely native flowers. North Carolina supplies habitats starting from coastal vegetation and wetlands to mountain forests. On this article, I’ll share 40 gorgeous sorts of North Carolina native flowers and wildflowers.

North Carolina Native Vary & Rising Zones

North Carolina is located on the East Coast of the Southern United States. The local weather right here corresponds to USDA Zones 5b to 8b. The Atlantic coastal plain covers North Carolina’s japanese portion, whereas its western area is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. North Carolina’s central area is a part of the Piedmont plateau of the japanese United States.

How are North Carolina’s Native Flowers Outlined?

North Carolina’s native flowers are outlined as species that grew within the area earlier than European settlers arrived within the 16^th Century. When the Europeans started colonizing North Carolina, they launched non-native species which have since develop into naturalized.

40 Sorts of Native North Carolina Flowers

1) Bee Balm

Also referred to as wild bergamot, bee balm is a herbaceous perennial from the mint household (Lamiaceae). Bee balm thrives in open woodlands and prairies throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont area and the western mountains.

These vegetation have grayish-green lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Bee balm produces pink or purple tubular flower clusters with pink bracts beneath.

2) Black-eyed Susan

Few wildflowers are as well-known as black-eyed Susan, which belongs to the aster or daisy household (Asteraceae). Black-eyed Susan grows all through North Carolina as a biennial. It thrives in open woodlands, roadsides, and prairies.

These North Carolina native flowers have giant, single flowers with darkish brown central cones surrounded by as much as 20 vibrant yellow ray petals. Black-eyed Susan flowers for months, from early summer time till fall.

3) Blue Flag Iris

Blue flag iris is a ravishing member of the iris household (Iridaceae) native to japanese North America. This herbaceous perennial thrives in wetland habitats reminiscent of marshes and sedge meadows.

Blue flag iris produces clumps of upright, lance-shaped leaves. Throughout the blooming season, blue flag iris has vivid blue to purple flowers with white veins and yellow markings.

4) Blue-eyed Grass

Often called the narrow-leaf blue-eyed grass, this herbaceous perennial comes from the iris household. It’s the most typical species of blue-eyed grass within the japanese United States. It thrives in open woodlands and meadows with moist soils.

These North Carolina native flowers have slender, grass-like leaves and branching stems. The flowers have six blue to violet tepals that encompass vibrant yellow facilities.

5) Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed is a herbaceous perennial milkweed belonging to the dogbane household (Apocynaceae). Throughout the summer time, butterfly weed produces clusters of tiny orange or yellow flowers with 5 petals and 5 sepals.

Butterfly weed is native to dry prairies and open woodlands throughout japanese and southwestern areas of North America. In contrast to different milkweed species, butterfly weed doesn’t produce a milky sap when the stems are lower.

6) Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flowers come from the bellflower household (Campanulaceae). These herbaceous perennials are native to moist woodlands and wetland habitats throughout North and South America.

These North Carolina native flowers produce tall, dense racemes of wealthy pink flowers named after the scarlet robes of Catholic cardinals. Every flower has 5 deep lobes. Cardinal flowers even have darkish inexperienced lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges.

7) Carolina Lily

Since 2003, the Carolina lily has been North Carolina’s official state wildflower. These perennials come from the lily household (Liliaceae) and are native to dry forests and slopes throughout the southeastern United States.

Carolina lilies have giant flowers with recurved orange or yellow petals with pink spots. Clusters of lengthy stamens protrude from every flower. Carolina lilies even have whorls of fleshy, wavy leaves.

8) Carolina Rose

Also referred to as pasture rose, Carolina rose is a deciduous perennial shrub from the rose household (Rosaceae). Carolina rose is native to open woodlands, prairies, and roadsides throughout japanese North America.

These North Carolina native flowers have woody stems, straight thorns, and easy, darkish inexperienced leaves with toothed edges. The one mild pink flowers have 5 petals and vibrant yellow facilities. The flowers exude a candy rose perfume.

9) Widespread Milkweed

Widespread milkweed is a herbaceous perennial from the dogbane household. These wildflowers are native to fields and open woodlands throughout North America. Widespread milkweed produces an irritating milky sap when lower.

These North Carolina native flowers have easy, rectangular leaves and produce globe-like clusters of aromatic pink, purple, or white flowers. These strongly-scented flowers appeal to pollinators like butterflies, who additionally use widespread milkweed as a larval meals plant.

10) Cutleaf Coneflower

Cutleaf coneflowers are tall herbaceous perennials from the daisy household. These vibrant wildflowers thrive in moist woodlands, plains, and riverbanks throughout most of North America.

From summer time till fall, cutleaf coneflowers produce daisy-like flowers with as much as ten drooping vibrant yellow ray petals. These petals encompass yellowish-green central cones. Cutleaf coneflowers even have elliptical or oval-shaped leaves with toothed lobes.

11) Dense Blazing Star

Dense blazing star is a clump-forming perennial from the blazing star genus (Liatris) inside the daisy household. Dense blazing star is native to wetland meadows and prairies all through japanese North America.

All through the summer time, these North Carolina native flowers produce tall, feathery spikes of purple flowers. These flower spikes rise above clumps of slender darkish inexperienced grass-like leaves. These low-maintenance vegetation appeal to bees and different pollinators.

12) Japanese Pink Columbine

Japanese pink columbines are herbaceous perennials belonging to the buttercup household (Ranunculaceae). Also referred to as Canadian columbines, these vegetation thrive in woodlands throughout japanese North America.

These North Carolina native flowers have pink, tubular flowers which might be simply recognizable due to the distinctive spurs behind the petals. These nodding flowers have a number of yellow interior petals and clusters of yellow stamens.

13) Japanese Redbud

Japanese redbuds are deciduous shrubs or timber from the legume or pea household (Fabaceae). These timber develop in forests throughout japanese North America and thrive in North Carolina’s Piedmont and mountain areas.

Japanese redbuds are pretty small timber with easy, heart-shaped leaves and darkish, easy bark. Japanese redbuds produce clusters of pink or pink pea-like flowers in spring earlier than the leaves seem.

14) Fireplace Pink

Also referred to as scarlet catchfly, fireplace pink is a short-lived herbaceous perennial from the carnation or pink household (Caryophyllaceae). Fireplace pink is native to central and japanese North America and thrives in open woodlands.

Fireplace pink has vibrant pink flowers which have 5 petals with notched suggestions. These vegetation even have lance-shaped leaves and sticky stems coated in brief hairs.

15) Flowering Dogwood

Flowering dogwood is North Carolina’s state flower, having been designated in 1941. Flowering dogwood is a woody, deciduous shrub or small tree from the Cornaceae household. It’s native to japanese North America and thrives in deciduous forests.

These North Carolina native flowers have 4 white bracts surrounding central clusters of tiny inexperienced flowers. The flowers are adopted by shiny pink berries within the fall.

16) Big Ironweed

Big ironweed is a herbaceous perennial from the aster household. Big ironweed is native to grasslands, prairies, and woodlands throughout central and japanese North America.

These North Carolina native flowers produce tall stems topped with giant flower heads that may be as much as 16 inches vast. Every flower head incorporates a number of clusters of as much as 30 purple, trumpet-shaped florets with 5 petals.

17) Nice White Trillium

Nice white trillium is a herbaceous perennial from the bunchflower household (Melanthiaceae). These elegant vegetation develop greatest in upland forests all through japanese North America.

Nice white trillium spreads by way of rhizomes and has quick stems that bear a single white flower. These flowers have three veined, white petals and yellow facilities. The flower stems emerge from whorls of three darkish inexperienced oval-shaped bracts.

18) Indian Pink

Also referred to as woodland pinkroot, Indian pink is a herbaceous perennial from the Loganiaceae household. These uncommon vegetation are native to moist, shady woodlands. In North Carolina, Indian pink vegetation are classed as Threatened and solely develop within the western mountains.

These North Carolina native flowers produce pink, tubular flowers open into star-shaped petals on the tip. The flowers have yellow interiors which might be seen by the opened suggestions.

19) Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a tuberous perennial from the arum household (Araceae). This uncommon flower grows in shady woodlands all through central and japanese North America.

These North Carolina native flowers resemble an orchid or a pitcher plant due to its inexperienced or purple hooded spathe. Inside this spathe is a spadix of tiny purple flowers pollinated by flies. Jack-in-the-pulpit additionally has one or two giant leaves cut up into three leaflets.

20) Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-Pye weed is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial from the aster household. It’s native to prairies, roadsides, and woodland edges throughout central and japanese North America and prefers moist circumstances.

These North Carolina native flowers produce inexperienced lance-shaped leaves and upright stems with dense clusters of tubular pink or purple flowers. These flowers emit a vanilla perfume that draws pollinators reminiscent of bees and butterflies.

21) Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Also referred to as golden tickseed, lanceleaf coreopsis is a herbaceous perennial from the daisy household. These wildflowers produce golden yellow flowers with roughly eight ray petals. There could also be darkish spots across the yellow central disc florets.

Lanceleaf coreopsis is native to the central and japanese United States and thrives in open woodlands, prairies, and roadsides. These wildflowers self-seed aggressively.

22) Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub from the heather household (Ericaceae). It’s native to the japanese United States and grows in mountain forests and rocky slopes.

These North Carolina native flowering vegetation produce clusters of hexagonal pink or white flowers with pink rings within the middle. Mountain laurel additionally has shiny, leathery evergreen leaves. Mountain laurels thrive in acidic soils and varied mild ranges.

23) New England Aster

New England asters are iconic, colourful wildflowers from the daisy household (Asteraceae). These asters are native to central and japanese North America and inhabit prairies, meadows, and marshlands.

These North Carolina native flowers have inexperienced, lance-shaped leaves with a tough, bushy texture. The stems are additionally fuzzy. New England asters produce small, daisy-like flowers with purple ray petals and yellow central florets.

24) Obedient Plant

Obedient vegetation are herbaceous perennials from the mint or sage household (Lamiaceae). These engaging, easy-to-grow vegetation have stiff, upright stems bearing spikes of tubular pink or purple flowers just like snapdragons.

Obedient vegetation are native to japanese North America and thrive in meadows, prairies, and woodlands. The flowers stay in place at any time when they’re moved, therefore the widespread title of obedient plant.

25) Ohio Spiderwort

Ohio spiderwort is a herbaceous perennial from the dayflower or spiderwort household (Commelinaceae). Ohio spiderwort is native to central and japanese North America and grows greatest in meadows and woodland edges.

These North Carolina native flowers produce vivid blue flowers with three petals and yellow stamens. Every flower solely lasts for at some point. These perennials even have bluish-green stems and arching, grass-like leaves.

26) Passionflower

Passionflowers are lovely, colourful perennial vines from the passionflower household (Passifloraceae). These fast-growing vines are native to the southeastern United States and thrive in disturbed areas or thickets alongside riverbanks.

These North Carolina native flowers have a base of ten white petals topped with purple and white filaments. The stamens sit above these filaments. Passionflowers additionally produce yellowish-green egg-shaped fruits through the summer time.

27) Pink Woman’s Slipper

Pink girl’s slipper is a ravishing perennial from the orchid household (Orchidaceae). These orchids are native to japanese North America and thrive in pine forests. In North Carolina, pink girl’s slipper orchids develop within the western mountains.

Pink girl’s slipper orchids have two basal leaves and a single flower stalk. Every pink flower is formed like a hole pouch and has veined markings.

28) Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflowers are one of the vital standard sorts of coneflowers and are available from the daisy household. These iconic wildflowers inhabit prairies and grasslands throughout the central and japanese United States.

These North Carolina native flowers produce single daisy-like flowers with purple ray petals surrounding orange-brown central cones. Purple coneflowers are simple to develop as a result of they will tolerate full solar and nutrient-poor soils. Many Native American societies used purple coneflowers as medicinal vegetation.

29) Pink Trillium

Pink trilliums are herbaceous perennials from the bunchflower household native to shaded forests throughout japanese North America. In North Carolina, pink trilliums could be discovered within the western mountains.

These North Carolina native flowers produce a whorl of three inexperienced, leafy bracts and darkish pink flowers with three petals. These flowers have a carrion-like scent to draw flies, the first pollinators of pink trilliums.

30) Rosebay Rhododendron

Also referred to as nice rhododendrons, rosebay rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs from the heather household. Rosebay rhododendrons are native to mountainous woodlands within the Appalachian mountains in japanese North America.

These North Carolina native flowers have giant, leathery darkish inexperienced leaves with bushy undersides. These rhododendrons produce umbel-like clusters of chic white or pink flowers with 5 lobes. The central lobe of every flower has yellowish-green spots.

31) Tough Goldenrod

Tough goldenrod is a colourful, clump-forming herbaceous perennial from the aster household. Tough goldenrod thrives in moist habitats reminiscent of marshes and swamps throughout central and japanese North America.

Tough goldenrod produces as much as 50 stems that erupt with arching spikes of tiny yellow flowers from summer time to fall. These perennials even have darkish inexperienced leaves with a tough, wrinkled texture.

32) Sundrops

Sundrops are vibrant, herbaceous perennials native to japanese North America. These wildflowers come from the night primrose household (Onagraceae). Sundrops thrive in dry woodlands and moist grasslands.

These North Carolina native flowers have alternating lance-shaped leaves and upright, reddish-green stems. These stems produce a number of vibrant yellow cup-shaped flowers with 4 petals which have notched suggestions. The flowers even have faint pink veins.

33) Sweetshrub

Also referred to as Carolina allspice, sweetshrubs are small deciduous shrubs from the sweetshrub household (Calycanthaceae). Sweetshrubs are native to deciduous woodlands within the southeastern United States.

These native North Carolina flowers have easy stems bearing darkish inexperienced ovate leaves with a leathery texture. Sweetshrubs even have solitary reddish-brown or reddish-purple flowers with a number of lance-shaped tepals. These flowers produce an fragrant, fruity scent, particularly in scorching climate.

34) Turk’s Cap Lily

Also referred to as American tiger lilies, Turk’s cap lilies are engaging, colourful lily members of the family. Turk’s cap lilies are native to swamps and moist meadows throughout central and japanese North America.

Turk’s cap lilies have giant, showy flowers with six severely recurved orange-red tepals with purple spots. These lilies have lengthy stamens protruding from the flower heads.

35) Virginia Bluebells

Virginia bluebells are herbaceous perennials native to moist woodlands throughout japanese North America. These bluebells come from the borage household (Boraginaceae). Many Native American societies used Virginia bluebells as medicinal vegetation.

These native North Carolina flowers have bluish-green oval-shaped leaves and easy, fragile stems. Virginia bluebells produce clusters of nodding, trumpet-shaped flowers. Though pink once they initially open, the flowers shortly flip pale blue or violet.

36) Wild Geranium

Wild geraniums are clump-forming herbaceous perennials from the Geraniaceae household. Wild geraniums are native to japanese North America and develop in open or shaded woodlands.

These North Carolina native flowers develop in giant clumps of palmate leaves with three to 5 lobes. The lilac or pink cup-shaped flowers have faint pink veins and white facilities. These engaging flowers final from late spring till early summer time.

37) Wild Ginger

Wild ginger is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial from the birthwort household (Aristolochiaceae). This species of decorative ginger is native to japanese North America. It grows greatest in shaded deciduous woodlands.

Wild ginger spreads by way of rhizomes and produces clumps of velvety kidney-shaped leaves. Every leaf can develop as much as 6 inches vast. Hidden among the many leaves are small purple-brown bell-shaped flowers that emit a candy perfume.

38) Wild Indigo

Wild indigo is a herbaceous perennial from the legume household (Fabaceae) native to central and japanese North America. It’s often known as blue false indigo due to its blue or purple pea-like flowers.

These North Carolina native flowers thrive in open meadows or woodland edges. The flowers solely bloom for a number of weeks on easy, upright stems. Wild indigo additionally has medium-green trifoliate leaves.

39) Woodland Phlox

Woodland phlox is a aromatic, herbaceous perennial from the phlox household (Polemoniaceae). It’s native to shady, deciduous woodlands throughout japanese North America. These clump-forming vegetation unfold in mats throughout the forest flooring.

Woodland phlox produces clusters of blue or lilac star-shaped flowers with 5 lobes that emit a pleasing perfume. Each the stems and lance-shaped leaves of woodland phlox are bushy and sticky.

40) Yellow Trillium

Yellow trillium is a lovely herbaceous perennial from the bunchflower household (Melanthiaceae). Yellow trillium has three inexperienced leaf-like bracts with distinctive grayish-green markings. Yellow trillium additionally produces upright yellow flowers with three petals. The flowers emit a pleasing lemony scent.

Yellow trillium is native to the southeastern United States and thrives in woodlands or alongside riverbanks. In North Carolina, yellow trillium primarily grows within the western mountains.

North Carolina Native Flowers FAQs

North Carolina Native Flowers – Wrapping Up

North Carolina boasts a beautiful array of native flowers, together with flowering dogwood – the official state flower. The official state wildflower is the Carolina lily. North Carolina’s native flowers are tailored to climates and ecosystems in USDA Zones 6 to eight.

For extra, see our in-depth guides to lovely native flowering vegetation in Oregon, Michigan, California, Florida, and Missouri.

Edd is a budding content material author and gardener dwelling in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s obsessed with nature and sustainability with a give attention to gardening and wildlife.